Water-cooled refrigerator



Dec. 6 1932. E. R. DO EPKE 1 WATER GQOLED REFRIGERATOR Filed June 14. 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 a v Invcnlor .3322. Joe 121v M Dec. 6, 1932. R, D P E 1,890,110

WATER COOLED REFRIGERATOR Filed June 14. 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. J l

1 1 l/ v Inventor 1/ 1 .12. fla 9Z1? N j I A Home y Dec. 6, 1932, E. RDOEPKE WATER 'COOLED REFRIGERATOR Filed June 14. 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I my Dec. 6, 1932 E. DOEPKE' WATER COOLER REFRIGERATOR Filed June 14, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventor Attorney Patented Dec. 6, 1932 PATENT OFFICE EDWARD B. DOEPKE, OF FAIBFIELD, WASHINGTON WATER-COOLED REFRIGERATOR Application filed June 14, 1932. Serial No. 617,208.

This invention relates to an improved refrigerator for accommodating and preserving food stuffs of various species and kinds, and it has more particular reference to a 5 structure which may be constructed and advantageously used in lieu of refrigerators cooled 1) electric and gas operated means, as well as t ose using ice and carbon dioxide as refrigerants.

More specifically stated, the object of the invention is to provide a novel heat insulated cabinet constructed to accommodate the articles of food and also constructed to facilitate circulation of ordinary city, hydrant, well, or spring water therethrough as an economical and practical refrigerant for cooling purposes.

Briefly stated, the desired result is accomplished through the use of a cabinet of appropriate configuration properly insulated, and constructed with one or more compart- 'ments, one of said compartments having a water-tight enclosure or casing therein whose interior is constructed to provide shelving space for the articles stored therein, and to simultaneously function to define a watercirculating space between itself and the wall of said compartment.

In addition to the fluid circulatory type of construction I have also so developed the invention as to make it of a convertible nature. In other words the invention comprehends the provision of an insulated cabinet having an internal shell-like storage enclosure to accommodate the goods to be preserved,

wherein the upper portions of the cabinet and shelves are spaced apart and otherwise constructed to accommodate a suitable re- 40 ceptacle for ordinary ice, dry ice, or to accommodate a gas or electric refrigeration unit.

A further feature of the invention is pred of the invention I have shown two different styles of cabinets, but so far as the principle of refri eration is concerned, it is identical in both orms.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same: I

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a multiple compartment relatively large refrigerator.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of a simple single compartment design. Figure 3 is a central vertical section through the structure seen in Figure 2.

Figure 4: is a horizontal section of Fig. 3 taken on line 3-3.

Figure 5 is a horizontal section of Figure 1 taken on line 4.-4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper overflow return and of the water drain pipe.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view in section and elevation disclosing the convertible structural arrangement capable of accommodating a gas or electric refrigeration unit in the special space or compartment provided therefor.

Figure 8 is a front elevation of the upper portion of Figure 7.

' Figure 9 is an inside fragmentary detail view of the structure seen on the interior of Fi ure 7.

teferring first to Figures 2 and 3 wherein the simplified form of the invention is illustrated, it will be observed that externally viewed the cabinet is of vertical elongated'ftubular form. It is generall designated in Figure 3 by the numeral 7 and comprises an outer wall 8 of appropriate configuration and an inner wall 9 with suitable heat insulation packing 1O interposed. between said walls. The wall 9 is in the nature of a cylinder having appropriate concave-convex closing heads 11 and 12. This defines the lining of the refrigerator compartment. 3

The inner enclosure defining the storage housing comprises a vertical cylinder 13 hav- 5 ingupper and lower closing heads" 14 and 15. This enclosure is spaced from the lining to define a water circulation space '16 therebetween. The frontal portion of the enclosure is cut out as indicated at the point 17 to pro 9- vide entrance openings and suitable water seals or partitioning members 18 are provided to form the leak-proof water circulating space 16. This space virtually surrounds the entire storage enclosure as seen in Figure 4.

Incidentally the numerals 19 designate doors and 20 represent door fasteners. The water supply pipe is denoted by the numerals 21 and provided with a suitable control valve 22. The water return pipe is denoted by the numeral 23 and has a control valve at 24 and a by-pass connection at 25 with the water-supply pipe. There is also a valve 26 in the byass.

It will be observed that the water return pipe extends up through the water circulation space 16 where it has an upper branch 27 directed laterally over the dome or top of the storage enclosure. larged overflow neck 28. Obviously the cold water, which may be supplied from a well, spring, or regular city supply, is introduced into the water circulating space 16 by way of the valved pipe 21. As the column of water rises, it is allowed to overflow through the neck 28'and return through the pipe 23 in any desired manner. This provides a continuous flow ofcolcl water, using the water as a refrigerant for cooling the chest or storage housing.

The housing is internally constructed to provide the desired accessories for shelving purposes. Referring now to Figure 3 the internal structure may well be seen, and it will be observed that it comprises a suitably supported central ring 29 attached by a couplin 30 to a perpendicular standard 31. The standard is provided on opposite ends with couplings 32 to receive the central pivot stud 33 on the upper and lower cage-like racks 34 and 35 respectively.

The socket 36 of the lower rack seats on an appropriate trunnion 37 ermitting the rack to rotate. The correspon ing socket 38 on the upper rack 34 is connected with a depending central shaft or stud 39. These racks are located in alinement with the doors and so constructed as to provide appropriate support shelvingmeans for the commodities and food stuffs adapted to be placed in the storage chest.

The gist of the invention is in the provision of a cabinet of appropriate configuration, properly insulated and having a water proof lining defining a water circulating chamber, together with a water-tight shell or chest supported in said compartment in proper spaced relation to facilitate circulation of cold water to provide the desired cooling results. The chest is so made as to accommodate the rotary racks or other accessories for convenience purposes.

By introducing the cold water at the bottom of the refrigerant compartment and'cir- It terminates in an en-' culating it entirely around the shell-like chest and returning it to the pipe 23, the requisite results are satisfactorily accomplished.

For purposes of ventilation, I call attention to the numerals 41 which designate simple ventilators each comprising a stationary guide 42 for the apertured slide or closure 43 or regulating the circulation of air through the inlet 44 of the various doors. Under certain conditions it is desirable to circulate air through the food compartments to minimize deterioration and decay for which reason these ventilators come in handy.

I also would like to call attention to the numerals 45 which designate upper and lower pipe couplings with removable closing plugs 46. These serve to permit the attachment of the device to sustaining and supporting pipes within the vicinity of a domestic range or boiler whenthe device is used as a food drier. i

In other words, the invention is not only adapted for use as a refrigerator, but can be madeavailable as a drier by simply circulating hot water around the jackets defining the fruit filled compartment.

Attention is now invited to Figures 7 to 9 inclusive wherein the convertible construction is shown to permit the invention to serve either. as a gas or an electric refrigerator. Here the insulated cabinet is generally designated by the numeral 47, being of the same construction as shown in Figure-3 and provided with a plurality of removable closing screw plugs 48 and 49 to permit connection of circulation pipes, braces and the like.

The cabinet is metal-lined as indicated at 50 and has its dome portion 51 spaced above the crown or dome portion 52 of the inner storage shell or casing 53. The fluid circulation pipe is merely distinguished by the numeral 54 and is here shown provided with a lateral terminal or branch 55 joined to the main pipe through the medium of a coupling or union 56 so that the pipe end 55 may be removed as an obstruction from the enlarged accommodation space 57 between the lining 51 and shell top 52.

This space 57 is obviously designed to accommodate a receptacle (not shown) for ordinarydomestic ice or dry ice. Also the space may be used in a feasible manner to accommodate the conventional electrical refrigeration unit or a gas refrigeration unit. This therefore makes the invention of a more diversified nature.

The hand hole 58 is closed by a suitable closure 59 centrally apertured to accommodate the screw-threaded stud 60 and adjacent clamping nut 61. The stud is carried by a turn button or retaining block 62 seated against bevelled sustaining abutments 63. This provides a closure of a fluid tight nature which permits access to be had to the space 57 forconveniently utilizing it in the manner already described.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary. 7

Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described it is to be understood that minor changes in shape, size, materials, and rearrangement of mechanical parts such as fall within the limits of the following claims may be resorted to in actual production and practice, if desired.

I claim:

1. 'A water cooled refrigerator of the class described comprising a cabinet including an outer wall, a compartment in said cabinet including a cylindrical wall, and upper and lower closing heads, packing interposed between the compartment and cabinet wall, the

eirontal portion of the cabinet having entrance openings and insulated closing doors therefor, a hollow shell-like article storage device supported in said compartment and including a cylinder and closing head for the opposite ends thereof, together with waterproofing means between the cylinders and compartments, said device being spaced from the wall of the compartment to provide a water circulating space, a valved water supply 1pipe connected to the lower closing head of tie compartment, :1 valved water return pipe extending up through the water space and into the upper portion of the compartment and having a lateral branch terminating in a water return neck.

2. In a structure of the class described an insulating cabinet having a lined water-proof compartment, a hollow shell-like storage enclosure supported in said compartment and having water-proof connection with the lin ing, said lining and the wall of said enclosure being spaced apart to provide a water circulating space as well as an additional space for accommodation of an electrical or gas refrigeration unit, the portion of said cabinet opposite said last-named space being provlded with a water tight enc osure defining a hand hole to permit access to be had to said space.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

EDWARD R. DOEPKE. 

